Breguet

Breguet has become such an intrinsic part of not only European culture, but the worldwide luxury watch industry. Breguet’s emblematic “Tradition” collection is being enriched this year with an original model in 18-carat rose gold.

This “Grande Complication” timepiece features a tourbillon, fusee and chain transmission, and a Breguet balance spring in silicon, joins the existing models in yellow gold and platinum. Inspired by the legendary souscription watches created by A.-L. Breguet, this objet d’art symbolizes both a return to roots and a resolutely forward-looking brand vision.

The Tradition Breguet 7047 Tourbillon Fusee luxury watch’s pure, modern aesthetic sets the stage for the tourbillon and the fusee and chain transmission located on the upper part of the mainplate. This sculptural piece highlights the contrast and relief effects, giving vibrant life to each component. These technical accomplishments symbolising Breguet’s horological excellence are duly protected by four patents.

Back in 2006, Breguet presented the first watches with silicon balance spring and escapement. The flat silicon balance springs, made using a raised terminal curve, also known as a “Breguet overcoil”, were recognised as an authentic feat by the watch industry. The rose gold re-edition of the “Tradition 7047PT” also features a silicon Breguet balance spring, as well as a new black galvanic-coated and engine-turned 18-carat gold dial.

This highly technical new rose gold model is a source of legitimate pride for the Manufacture Breguet, which remains firmly in the vanguard of research and development. Not content with merely inventing, it also displays the ability of the House to combine technological innovation with aesthetic appeal.

Tradition Breguet 7047 Tourbillon Fusee, Rose Gold Watch Features:

– Case in 18-carat rose gold with a finely fluted caseband. Sapphire crystal back. Diameter 41 mm. Rounded lugs welded to the case, screw-secured spring-bars. Water-resistant to 3 bar (30 m).

– Dial in black-coated engine-turned 18-carat gold, off-centred at 7 o’clock. Individually numbered and signed Breguet. Chapter ring with Roman numerals. 60-second tourbillon at 1 o’clock. Polished steel “moon” tip Breguet hands.

– Movement mechanical hand-wound with tourbillon, anthracite coating. Numbered and signed Breguet. Cal. 569. 16 lignes. 43 jewels. 50-hour power reserve with power-reserve indication on the barrel drum. Constant torque ensured throughout the running of the watch thanks to the fusee and chain transmission. Titanium upper bridge of the tourbillon carriage Breguet type tourbillon bar. Straight-line Swiss lever escapement. Breguet titanium balance with four gold adjustment screws. Breguet silicon balance spring, 2.5 Hz. Adjusted in 6 positions. Alligator leather strap.

Elyria Jewels

Elyria Jewels has introduced its new luminous line of jewelry – the Rumi collection.  This luxury jewelry line features a sophisticated choker of Chinese freshwater pearls and a center topaz crystal, and dazzling earrings made of raw sliced diamonds, blue moonstones and dramatic faceted quartz.

Created to inspire beauty and love in all, the Rumi collection is perfect for both the chic woman about town and the modern bride.

Elyria Jewels was founded by Elisa Browsh and the fine jewelry company is well known for its elegant and fashion-forward jewelry collections.

Elisa Browsh has specialized in supplying Tahitian pearls to some of the country’s most renowned jewelry designers for over a decade. Balancing industrial chic with a luxurious, bohemian aesthetic, Browsh incorporates her beloved pearls and a wide variety of precious stones into sophisticated silver and gold jewelry.

Her work is inspired by influences as diverse as street art and Cartier haute joaillerie.

For additional information, please visit: http://www.elyriajewels.com/

The luxury Shops at Wailea has become some of the most popular attractions in all of Maui.

This upscale shopping and dining complex is quickly becoming a flourishing tourism site. The Shops at Wailea opened for business in 2001 and has become a popular destination for Maui vacationers and locals.

The impressive, tropical complex boasts sixteen acres and more than fifty shops and restaurants for visitors to enjoy. There is a generous mix of local retailers as well as larger conglomerates that are well-known worldwide.

The Shops at Wailea (sometimes called the Wailea Shopping Village) is located near Maui’s famous and luxurious Wailea Resort, adjacent to the Wailea Beach Villas resort fronting Wailea Beach.

The shopping center offers the Maui tradition of a relaxed atmosphere in a beautiful setting. You’ll find treasures from internationally renowned designers like Tiffany & Co. and Louis Vuitton to local artisans by leading artists from Maui.

A few of the many luxury shops are Betsy Johnson, Vendi, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Guess, Cache, Coach, Cos Bar, St. John Boutique and Tori Richard.

While searching for fine fashion and casual clothing, some of the favorites are Banana Republic, Billabong, Chico’s, Crazy Shirts, Enchantress Boutiques, Gap, Honolua Wahine, Maui Water Wear, Quicksilver, Sgt. Leisure, Sisters & Co. Boutique Salon, The Walking Company and White House/ Black Market.

For the perfect gift or jewelry, check out Elephant Walk- A Gallery of Life, Martin & MacArthur, Sand People, Black Pearl Gallery, Dolphin Gallery, Folli Follie, Na Hoku, Tiffany & Co and Wailea Jewelry.

If you seek fine dining options, enjoy a variety of choice ranging from typical American foods to Pacific Rim cuisine. Some options include Longhi’s, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Tommy Bahama’s Tropical Cafe and Cheeseburger Island.

For entertainment options, sip a cocktail while you listen to Hawaiian music and dance at WOW! Wailea on Wednesdays. Other events include gallery receptions, artist appearances, retail and restaurant specials and free live entertainment every Wednesday.

The Shops at Wailea
3750 Wailea Alanui Drive
Wailea, HI 96753
phone:(808) 891-6770
fax:(808) 891-6772

Nina Ricci

Nina Ricci was first founded in Paris, France by Turin-born Maria “Nina” Ricci, along with her son Robert in 1932.

As Nina Ricci launches its Spring / Summer 2012 Woman ad campaign, the fashion industry icon has developed an intriguing video. The creative video was just introduced at the Nina Ricci Autumn/Winter 2013 show.

From the union of designer Peter Copping’s aerial and romantic universe with Inez & Vinoodh’s deep and strange world, was born a very unusual movie. Directed by the couple, Raquel Zimmermann hypnotizes us, and engrosses us in her breathless ethereal trance. This piece gives a new and original perspective of Nina Ricci’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection.

The movie as well -as the campaign- was shot in Old Westbury in Long Island, N-Y, USA, and will be broadcasted in Nina Ricci’s shops from the 27th of February, and presented to the press on the March 1st at the Autumn/Winter show.

Appointed creative director of the House in 2009, in every collection he designed for Nina Ricci Peter Copping always managed to capture the essence of felinity. He creates a graceful silhouette with a subtly pared-back playful sensuality; working with powdery hues similar to the sensual and satin aspects of the skin, evoking the world of dreams and emerging the image of the Ricci woman with a vision of spontaneous authenticity.

Therefore Peter Copping remains faithful to the House’s vision of felinity, and its sophisticated luxuriousness yet intentionally relaxed style. By combining sumptuous materials with soft draping, tailoring and her ability to capture the essence, Nina Ricci became synonymous with contemporary fashion. The creator’s main goal was to channel the personality of every woman; proposing a classic wardrobe that favored naturalness over ostentation. It is this exact same goal that Peter Copping has been achieving for the past 2 years.

Blancpain Villeret Collection Calibre 7663Q

Blancpain has just introduced it’s first Villeret collection watch with a Flinqu Lacquered Dial. The Blancpain Calibre 7663Q watch includes 244 parts and 34 jewels.

The stunning effect is achieved by adding several layers of translucent blue lacquer to the watch dial to create an incomparable depth effect. Blancpain has carefully adopted a subtly balanced approach by introducing this original touch while preserving the pure lines of its most classic collection.

The Calibre 7663Q watch from Blancpain is housed within a 40mm diameter white gold case. The luxury watch has a three-day power reserve.

This new self-winding movement powers hour and minute hands as well as an equally central serpentine date pointer, while the retrograde seconds appear at 6 o’clock.

The under-lug corrector at 5 o’clock enables fast date adjustment, while the sapphire crystal caseback reveals the collection’s distinctive guilloche oscillating weight.

In addition, Blancpain’s new Villeret collection watch (Ref# 6653q-1529-55b) is water-resistant to 3 bars and is accompanied by an alligator leather strap with an alzavel lining, matching the dial color and fitted with a folding clasp to ensure enhanced wearer comfort.

Grieb & Benzinger

Luxury watchmaker Grieb & Benzinger, along with Rolls-Royce Motorcars and Revolution Magazine recently presented the three heaviest platinum watches in the world. The combined value of these luxury watches from Grieb & Benzinger was 1,200,000 euros or US$ 1,500,000!

Select guests in Singapore had the privilege to review these fine, luxury watches. They saw firsthand the BLUE DANUBE (a unique skeletonized minute repeater split-seconds chronograph) and the BLUE WHIRLWIND (a unique tourbillon minute repeater)as well as the legendary BLUE SENSATION (the only split-seconds skeletonized regulator chronograph on the market ) by Grieb & Benzinger.

Each of these unique watches is based on a rare Patek Philippe caliber design. The watches were fully disassembled, modified and recreated in the typical style of Grieb & Benzinger. The restoration process of these three solid platinum case watches took 12 months to complete.

Unforgettable highlights among these watches are the refined guilloché, hand-skeletonization and hand-engraving as well as the skeletonized Sterling silver dials with original Breguet frosted finish as only Grieb & Benzinger does.

The BLUE SENSATION watch features a 49-millimeter diameter and a total weight of 230 grams. The luxury watch is the largest of the three from Grieb & Benzinger. Even though its size, the watch is the most affordable one with a value of 200,000 euros (US$ 260,000).

For additional information about these three luxury Grieb & Benzinger watches, please visit: www.benzinger-boutique.com

As the 54th Grammy Awards comes to an end, we will remember this music award show for many things. From the opening rockin’ performance of Bruce Springsteen, to Jennifer Hudson’s moving tribute to the late Whitney Houston singing “I Will Always Love You,” to Adele dominating the night, and two historic performances by Sir Paul McCartney.  It was truly a special night for music – the Grammy Awards

Many music fans were anticipating the return to the public eye of Adele, the six-time-nominee. This was her first public performance since having to cancel her tour and recover from vocal cord surgery.

But Adele left no doubt who stole the Grammy show. She won six Grammys, including the top three categories of record and song of the year for “Rolling in the Deep,” plus album of the year for “21.”

Music wasn’t the only topic of discussion this evening in Los Angeles. The 54th annual Grammy Awards red carpet was alive with fine fashion. Here are a few of the notable fashion standouts.

(AP Photo / Chris Pizzello) Katie Perry

(AP Photo / Chris Pizzello) Taylor Swift

(AP Photo / Chris Pizzello) Carrie Underwood

(AP Photo / Chris Pizzello) Alicia Keys

(AP Photo / Chris Pizzello) Rihanna

(AP Photo / Chris Pizzello) Bruno Mars

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Here’s a recap of the 2012 Grammy Award Winners:

ALBUM OF THE YEAR: 21, Adele
RECORD OF THE YEAR: “Rolling In The Deep”, Adele
SONG OF THE YEAR: “Rolling In The Deep”, Adele
BEST NEW ARTIST: Bon Iver
BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE: “Someone Like You”, Adele
BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM: 21, Adele
BEST POP DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE: “Body And Soul”, Tony Bennett & Amy Winehouse
BEST SHORT FORM MUSIC VIDEO: “Rolling in the Deep”, Adele
BEST LONG FORM MUSIC VIDEO: “Foo Fighters: Back and Forth”, Foo Fighters
BEST COMPILATION SOUNDTRACK FOR VISUAL MEDIA: Boardwalk Empire: Volume 1
SCORE SOUNDTRACK FOR VISUAL MEDIA: The King’s Speech
BEST DANCE RECORDING: “Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites”, Skrillex
BEST DANCE/ELECTRONICA ALBUM: Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites, Skrillex
BEST TRADITIONAL POP VOCAL ALBUM: Duets II, Tony Bennett & Various Artists
BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE: “Walk”, Foo Fighters
BEST ROCK SONG: “Walk”, Foo Fighters
BEST HARD ROCK/METAL PERFORMANCE: “White Limo”, Foo Fighters
BEST ROCK ALBUM: Wasting Light, Foo Fighters
BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM: Bon Iver, Bon Iver
BEST R&B ALBUM: F.A.M.E., Chris Brown
BEST R&B PERFORMANCE: “Is This Love”, Corinne Bailey Rae
BEST TRADITIONAL R&B PERFORMANCE: “Fool For You”, Cee Lo Green & Melanie Fiona
BEST R&B SONG: “Fool for You”, Cee Lo Green and Jack Splash
BEST RAP/SUNG COLLABORATION: “All Of The Lights”, Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi & Fergie
BEST RAP PERFORMANCE: “Otis”, Jay-Z & Kanye West
BEST RAP SONG: “All of the Lights”, Jeff Ghasker, Malik Jones, Warren Trotter, Kanye West
BEST RAP ALBUM: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Kanye West
BEST COUNTRY ALBUM: Own The Night, Lady Antebellum
BEST COUNTRY SOLO PERFORMANCE: “Mean”, Taylor Swift
BEST COUNTRY DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE: “Barton Hollow”, The Civil Wars
BEST COUNTRY SONG: “Mean”, Taylor Swift
BEST AMERICANA ALBUM: Ramble At The Ryman, Levon Helm
BEST BLUEGRASS ALBUM: Paper Airplane, Alison Krauss and Union Station
BEST BLUES ALBUM: Revelator, Tedeschi Trucks Band
BEST FOLK ALBUM: Barton Hollow, The Civil Wars
BEST IMPROVISED JAZZ SOLO: “500 Miles High”, Chick Corea
BEST JAZZ VOCAL ALBUM: The Mosaic Project, Terri Lyne Carrington and Various Artists
BEST LARGE JAZZ ENSEMBLE ALBUM: The Good Feeling, Christian McBride Big Band
BEST JAZZ INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM: Forever, Corea, Clarke and White
BEST SPOKEN WORD ALBUM: If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won’t), Betty White
BEST CHILDREN’S ALBUM: All About Bullies… Big and Small, Various Artists
BEST MUSIC THEATER ALBUM: The Book of Mormon
BEST COMEDY ALBUM: Hilarious, Louis C.K.
BEST REGIONAL ROOTS MUSIC ALBUM: Rebirth of New Orleans, Rebirth Brass Band
BEST WORLD MUSIC ALBUM: Tassili, Tinariwen
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR, NON-CLASSICAL: Paul Epworth

2012 GRAMMY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Allman Brothers Band, Glen Campbell, Antonio Carlos Jobim, George Jones, the Memphis Horns, Diana Ross, Gil Scott-Heron

Blancpain – Saint-Valentin Chronograph 2012

Frequently featured on AskMen.com, Blancpain is undoubtedly one of the legendary watchmakers in the world.  In the spotlight this time is a glitzy new addition to their Blancpain Women collection.

Following its tradition of Valentine’s Day romance, Blancpain is unveiling its annual exclusive creation for Valentine’s Day with a new limited design watches, the Saint-Valentin Chronograph 2012.

With its diamond-set bezel and lugs, caseband set with four diamonds and a heart-shaped ruby, crown adorned with a diamond and pushpieces covered with cabochon-cut rubies, the Saint-Valentin Chronograph is the statement piece of this season.  Its engraved mother-of-pearl dial, featuring a marquetry-work motif composed of three white mother-of-pearl hearts and set with eight diamonds, and delicately hand painted heart shape, all highlight the intense attention to detail infused into this exquisite line of watches.

The sapphire crystal back of the 36 mm case features 308 parts and 37 jewels, along with the oscillating weight clothed in pink mother-of-pearl.  With a nod to tradition, the Saint-Valentin Chronograph 2012 uses the same self-winding Calibre F185 featured in the very first ladies’ flyback chronograph model.  This model is exclusively available through Blancpain’s boutiques.

Acclaimed as the world’s oldest watch brand, Blancpain has been heralded for its aesthetic and technology since its inception in 1735.  Founded by Jehan-Jaques Blancpain, this luxury Swiss watch manufacturer is famous for being the creator of some of the most complicated mechanical watches ever created in history.

London West Hollywood

This winter, the London West Hollywood challenges retail therapy to a whole new level, with the emphasis on the “therapy” part of retail.  London West Hollywood guests now can enjoy the same exclusive shopping and dining experience as Hollywood’s famed elites.

Right off the legendary Sunset Strip, London West Hollywood exudes class, modernity, and style.  So it’s no surprise that their new Shop the Hills Package includes all of the meticulous details that transcend shopping into a new level of luxury.

The day begins with a complimentary breakfast at The Breakfast Table in renowned Chef Gordon Ramsay’s Boxwood Café.  Then the shopping begins at world’s premier luxury fashion district, Rodeo Drive.  Next, enjoy lunch at the upscale Marisposa restaurant located in Neiman Marcus.  Rated 90 out of 100 by the users of Urbanspoon, Marisposa begins lunch the Neiman Marcus way, with a bowl of broth and a popver with a side of homemade strawberry jam or strawberry butter.

Lined with glamorous boutiques like Prada, Gucci, Valentino, Armani, Dior, Cartier, Alain Mikli, and country singer Taylor Swift’s favorite, Anthropologie; Beverly Hills is filled with shopping opportunities.  With just a cobblestone walkway away, guests can wander off to Two Rodeo Drive and explore Versace, Lanvin, Jimmy Choo, and Tiffany.  Anchoring the south border of the Golden Triangle is Department Store Row with Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys New York.

The day can be completed by retreating to a spacious suite and large soaking tub back at the London West Hollywood, or enjoy the panoramic views of the glitzy Los Angeles skyline and Hollywood hills from the hotel’s exclusive rooftop pool deck.

The all-inclusive Shop the Hills Package at The London West Hollywood starts at $399 per night and includes complimentary overnight parking, luxurious accommodations, complimentary breakfast at Chef Gordon Ramsay’s Boxwood Café, and lunch at Mariposa of Neiman Marcus.  For more information, you can call 866-282-4560.

TAG Heuer Grand Carrera

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and you can rest assured that your man will be searching high and low for what will be the best gift for you. While he is doing that and pulling out his hair let us save you some time. The perfect way to tell him that he is appreciated is with a great TAG Heuer watch.

You are expecting him to roll out the red carpet for you on Valentine’s Day and he probably will, why not surprise him with a fine piece of jewelry yourself? TAG Heuer is a world renowned maker of luxury watches that not only look and feel great but also extremely practical. Their watches are perfect for the man with an active and athletic lifestyle as well as the man who is conscious of how he looks. They are versatile; he will be able to wear one with a suit or a t-shirt and he will feel like a million dollars knowing that you had him in mind when you bought it.

In the past ten years, TAG Heuer has won seven Grand Prix de l’Horlogerie de Genève. This proves that TAG Heuer is elite and unparalleled in its master craft of luxury and practical timepieces. Does he deserve any less than the absolute best in watches? TAG Heuer has an unparalleled determination to beautifully design their watches but this may hide how technically complex the watches they create are. TAG has created watches that can read up to one thousandth of a second – a feat once thought impossible for mechanical watches! So do not let the elegance and style of their watches fool you; TAG makes a much better mechanical watch than any other company can even hold a claim to.

TAG Heuer Calibre

The TAG Heuer brand is synonymous with sports and active lifestyles. Throughout its history back to 1860, TAG has been adding notches to its belt with great achievements including creating the first dashboard stopwatch for race cars. As such, it’s no mystery that their watches are designed specifically for those with active lifestyles in mind. They are designed to resist everything the elements throw at them. Because of this mindset when creating watches, their watches are water resistant and scratch resistant.

This Valentine’s Day while he is running around trying to get the perfect gift for you, show him you appreciate it with a watch that is simply unparalleled in men’s watches. A TAG Heuer watch is the perfect gift.

Written by Andrew Hilbert

Breitling U.S. Tribute Watch

Owning a luxury watch is high on the list of what people want to own and what they often associate luxury with. Luxury watchmaker Breitling has introduced three incredible watches just in time for Valentine’s Day.

– Breitling Galactic 36 – With a variety of colorful leather or lizard skin straps to choose from, this is one of Breitling’s most feminine watches and versions featuring mother of pearl and diamonds lend an especially glamorous touch.

The mechanical movement of the sporty, versatile and refined Galactic 36 Automatic is housed within a generous steel case.

Price: From $5,950 to $39,230, depending on materials selected.

– Breitling Chronomat 44 – These watches a great choice for matching “his and hers” Valentine’s Day gifts this year. Sure to please any man or woman, the Chronomat 44 is one of Breitling’s signature pieces this year and features their very own in-house movement.

The watch case with satin-brushed upper surface, exclusive black dial and is available in 18K rose gold or white gold.

Price: From $7,560 in steel; from $25,500 in gold and rose gold, depending on materials selected

– Breitling U.S. Tribute –  A watch in tribute to military veterans across the United States, Breitling has created a 50-piece limited edition American Tribute watch.

This is a great choice as it is a “gift that gives back.” Breitling is donating 100% of the proceeds from this watch to the Fisher House Foundation, which constructs comfort homes to provide free, temporary housing to the families of service members needing medical care across the U.S.
Price: $8,960